Haptic hand controller system for mixed reality

Abstract

The technology disclosed herein includes a controller or device that provides multi-dimensional hand interaction with the digital world by delivering physical sensations to the palm and the fingertips. The device translates motion from the hand and fingers to control of a computer device, while simultaneously receiving signals to display haptic sensations. The device is “controller-held” around a user's hand, holding onto hand anatomy at key locations. In some embodiments, the device has one-handed engagement and disengagement. In some embodiments, the device may be used as a game controller, incorporating WebVR electronics and software, wireless communication, power-harvesting electronics, inertial measurements unit electronics including additional inputs for camera-based IMU supplementation, battery recharging electronic and internal communication protocol support electronics. In some embodiments, the device may be used in non-gaming environments, and include additional electronics that support universal remote controller components, IoT compatibility, and compatibility for wireless charging.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic controller comprising:
 a fastening assembly configured to engage and disengage with a user's hand, the fastening assembly comprising:
 a first transverse section, wherein the first transverse section is substantially rigid and configured to extend across at least a portion of the user's hand proximate to a wrist of the user's hand; 
 a second transverse section coupled to the first transverse section, wherein the second transverse section is substantially rigid and configured to extend across at least a portion of the user's hand proximate to a palm of the user's hand and substantially aligned with a transverse crease of the user's hand, wherein the second transverse section is further configured to avoid contact with or impeding a thenar portion of the user's hand, a thenar eminence portion of the user's hand, and a hypothenar eminence portion of the user's hand; 
 a first elongate member coupled to the first transverse section, wherein the first elongate member is substantially rigid; 
 a second elongate member coupled to the second transverse section, wherein the second elongate member is substantially rigid; 
 a thumb tip portion coupled to the first elongate member, the thumb tip portion configured to display haptic sensations; 
 a first fingertip portion coupled to the second elongate member, the first fingertip portion configured to display haptic sensations; 
 a clasping mechanism coupled to at least one of the first transverse section or the second transverse section; and 
 an electronic module operatively coupled to the fastening assembly, the electronic module comprising:
 a processor; and 
 memory coupled with the processor, with instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to cause the electronic controller to: 
 provide signals to the thumb tip portion and first fingertip portion for presenting the haptic sensations. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate member is configured to extend along at least a portion of a back of the user's hand proximal to a thumb of the user's hand. 
     
     
       3. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second elongate member is configured to be disposed between two adjacent fingers of the user's hand. 
     
     
       4. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate member comprises at least one flexure or hinge element. 
     
     
       5. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein the second elongate member comprises at least one flexure or hinge element. 
     
     
       6. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein the clasping mechanism comprises at least one flexure or hinge element. 
     
     
       7. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein the clasping mechanism includes an arcuate-shaped portion. 
     
     
       8. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first fingertip portion is configured to extend around a portion of a thumb of the user's hand. 
     
     
       9. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second fingertip portion is configured to extend around a portion of a finger of the user's hand. 
     
     
       10. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a dorsal section disposed between the first transverse section and the second transverse section, wherein the dorsal section is substantially rigid and configured to engage at least a portion of the user's hand proximal to a side of the user's hand opposite a thumb of the user's hand, and 
 wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the electronic controller to: 
 provide signals to the dorsal section for presenting the haptic sensations to the user's hand. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic controller of  claim 10 , wherein the dorsal section provides at least one of a housing or a mount for the electronic module. 
     
     
       12. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third elongate member coupled to the second transverse section, wherein the third elongate member is substantially rigid; and 
 a second fingertip portion coupled to the third elongate member, the second fingertip portion configured to present haptic sensations, 
 wherein the first fingertip portion and the second transverse section is configured to be engaged with at least one of an index finger or a middle finger of the user's hand, and the second fingertip portion and the third transverse section is configured to be engaged with the other of the index finger or the middle finger of the user's hand. 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic controller of  claim 1 , wherein the clasping mechanism is coupled to the first transverse section, the electronic controller further comprising:
 an additional clasping mechanism coupled to the second transverse section. 
 
     
     
       14. An electronic controller comprising:
 a fastening assembly configured to engage and disengage with a user's hand, the fastening assembly comprising:
 a first transverse section; 
 a second transverse section coupled to the first transverse section; 
 a first elongate member coupled to the first transverse section; 
 a second elongate member coupled to the second transverse section; 
 a thumb tip portion coupled to the first elongate member, the thumb tip portion comprising a thumb tip mechanism configured to present haptic sensations that include both tactile and kinesthetic sensations; 
 a first fingertip portion coupled to the second elongate member, the first fingertip portion comprising a first fingertip mechanism configured to present haptic sensations that include both tactile and kinesthetic sensations; 
 a clasping mechanism coupled to at least one of the first transverse section or the second transverse section; and 
 
 an electronic module operatively coupled to the fastening assembly, the electronic module comprising:
 a processor; and 
 memory coupled with the processor, with instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to cause the electronic controller to:
 provide signals to the thumb tip portion and first fingertip portion for presenting the haptic sensations. 
 
 
 
     
     
       15. The electronic controller of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a third elongate member coupled to the second transverse section; and 
 a second fingertip portion coupled to the third elongate member, the second fingertip portion comprising a second fingertip mechanism configured to present haptic sensations that include both tactile and kinesthetic sensations, 
 wherein the first fingertip portion and the second transverse section is configured to be engaged with at least one of an index finger or a middle finger of the user's hand, and the second fingertip portion and the third transverse section is configured to be engaged with the other of the index finger or the middle finger of the user's hand. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic controller of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the electronic controller to:
 simultaneously provide signals to the thumb tip portion, first fingertip portion, and the second fingertip portion for presenting the haptic sensations. 
 
     
     
       17. An electronic controller comprising:
 a fastening assembly configured to engage and disengage with a user's hand, the fastening assembly comprising:
 a first transverse section; 
 a second transverse section coupled to the first transverse section; 
 a first elongate member coupled to the first transverse section; 
 a second elongate member coupled to the second transverse section; 
 a thumb tip portion coupled to the first elongate member, the thumb tip portion comprising a thumb tip mechanism configured to present haptic sensations; 
 a first fingertip portion coupled to the second elongate member, the first fingertip portion comprising a first fingertip mechanism configured to present haptic sensations; 
 a clasping mechanism coupled to at least one of the first transverse section or the second transverse section, wherein the clasping mechanism is configurable to mechanically engage with the user's hand in a first fixably movable orientation to hold the electronic controller to the user's hand, and wherein the clasping mechanism is further configurable to mechanically disengage with the user's hand in a second fixably movable orientation to enable the electronic controller to be removed from the user's hand; and 
 
 an electronic module operatively coupled to the fastening assembly, the electronic module comprising:
 a processor; and 
 memory coupled with the processor, with instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to cause the electronic controller to:
 provide signals to the thumb tip portion and first fingertip portion for presenting the haptic sensations. 
 
 
 
     
     
       18. The electronic controller of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the electronic controller to:
 detect a first disengagement operation; and 
 deactivate the clasping mechanism based at least in part on the detected first disengagement operation. 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic controller of  claim 18 , wherein the instructions to detect the first disengagement operation are executable by the processor to cause the electronic controller to:
 detect a sensor activated as the first disengagement operation; 
 detect a location of the electronic controller as the first disengagement operation; 
 detect a voice command as the first disengagement operation; or 
 detect an orientation of the fastening assembly as the first disengagement operation. 
 
     
     
       20. The electronic controller of  claim 18 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the electronic controller to:
 detect a second disengagement operation; and 
 deactivate the clasping mechanism based at least in part on the detected first disengagement operation occurring prior to the detected second disengagement operation.